Trimmer&#39;s hand tool



Dec. 23, 1941. A A, MCPHAIL. SR 2,267,660

TRIMMERS HAND TOOL Filed March 25, 1940 JZJZMP/Z 011,57:

Patented Dec. 23, 1941 more!) STATES PATENT OFFICE TRIMMERS HAND TOOL Ailion Amos McPhail, Sr., Miami, Fla. Application March 25, 1940, Serial No. 325,864

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a trimmers hand tool.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tool designed primarily for putting in and removing clips employed for fastening a cloth covering on seats of automotive vehicles of the truck type, but it is to be understood that a trimmers tool, in accordance with this invention is for use in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter referred to, a trimmers hand tool for conveniently and expeditiously positioning and removing fastening clips to and from fastening position.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a trimmers hand tool for positioning a fastening clip relative to a seat covering and capable of quickly acting on the positioned clip to dispose it in a manner to secure the covering to the seat.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a trimmers hand tool including means capable of acting on a clip when in secured relation with respect to a seat covering for expeditiously removing the clip when occasion requires.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a trimmers hand tool for the purpose referred to including spring controlled means for removably holding a fastening clip when positioning the latter relative to an object which is to be secured by the clip to another object.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a trimmers hand tool for action on a fastening clip to so dispose the latter for the purpose of securing the front portion of a seat covering to and in encompassing relation with respect to the depending front of a seat.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a trim'mers hand tool which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, conveniently and expeditiously operated for putting in and removing clips employed for fastening covers to seats, thoroughly efficient in use for the purpose intended thereby, readily assembled, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation looking towards one side of the tool with the latter disposed horizontally and illustrating the tool in position for removing a fastening clip from fastening relation with respect to a seat cover and a seat, the cover and seat being shown fragmentary and in longitudinal section; and further illustrating in dotted lines a fastener clip held by the tool in position prior to the clip being disposed in fastening position with respect to the seat cover,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the tool, when disposed vertically and illustrating the clip being disposed in fastening relation with respect to a seat cover and seat, the cover and seat being shown fragmentary and in longitudinal section, and further illustrating in dotted line the normal position of the clip holder,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation looking towards one of the lengthwise edges of the tool with the latter disposed vertically,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in lengthwise section of the tool, and

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the chair, cover and clip illustrating the latter in fastening engagement with the cover.

With reference to the drawing, a metallic seat or seat frame of the form now employed in certain automotive trucks is indicated at 5 and has the body 5 thereof at its front formed with a short upstanding inclined portion 1. The latter merges into the upper end of a depending hollow rearwardly directed front edge portion 8 of a form greater than a half circle, but less than a complete circle opening rearwardly and having its lower end terminal aligned in spaced relation with the portion I. There is correlated with the seat 5 a fabric cover 9 for the body 6. The rear end of the cover 9 is anchored by any suitable means. The outer portion of the cover ii is not only disposed in encompassing relation with respect to said front edge portion 8, but also has a part extending rearwardly from edge portion 8 and under said body 6. shown a bendable metallic fastener clip ID in position for securing the cover 9 in encompassing relation with respect to the front edge portion 8 of the seat 5. The clip I!) is of angle contour and before disposed in fastening position, as

In Figure 2 there is' shown by Figure 2, will be of a form consisting of a horizontal leg II and a leg I2 integral with one end of and disposed at an acute angle to and overhanging a portion of the leg II. When the clip In is arranged in fastening position it will be of. substantially V-form with a round bend or apex I3, as shown by Figure 2.

The tool, in accordance with this invention and generally indicated at I4 is to be employed in putting the clip I6 into and for removing it from fastening position with respect to the cover 9. The position of the tool I4, relative to the clip In when disposing the latter in securing or fastening relation with respect to the cover 9 will be as shown by Figure 2. The position of the tool I4, relative to the clip II), when removing the lat ter from securing or fastening relation with. respect to the cover 9, will be as shown by Figure 1.

The tool I4 includes a pair of oppositely disposed handle members I5, I6 formed adjacent their outer ends with aligning openings I'I, I8 respectively. Extending through the said aligned openings is a pivot I9 common to said handles. The pivot I9 is in the form of a headed threaded bolt 26 having its shank 2| extended through said aligned openings and projecting from handle member I6, and threadedly engaging with shank 2| is a securing nut 22. The head of bolt 26 abuts the outer side surface of handle member I5. The nut 22 abuts the outer side surface of the handle member I6.

Integral with one side of the outer end of handle member I is the inner end of a shank 23 formed of an inner portion 24, an intermediate portion 25 and an outer portion 26. The portions 24, 25 correspond in thickness and also correspond in thickness to the outer end edge of handle member I5. The portion 26 is of greater Width than the width of portion 25. The portion 26 is tapered and of greater thickness than and overhangs the inner face of portion 25. The inner edges of the portions 25, 26 are straight and merge into each other. The inner edge of portion 26 is of greater width than the inner edge of the portion 25. The outer edges of the portions 25, 26 are of convexed curvature, merge into each other and are disposed upon the same are. The outer edge of portion 26 is of greater width than the outer edge of portion 25. Integral with the outer end of the portion 26 is the outer part of the flat inner face 21 of a jaw 28 of substantially segmental contour, which is flush at its outer end with the outer edge of the portion 26. The jaw 28 is disposed at right angles to and projects inwardly from the inner edge of portion 26. The inner end 29 of the jaw 28 is rounded.

Opposing the inner edge of the portion 26 of the shank 23 is a resilient holder 39 for releasably securing clip l6 against the jaw 29. The holder 36 is formed from a length of spring wire bent to form horizontally disposed terminal portions 3| anchored in and extended from the inner edge of portion 26, a pair of spaced parallel aligned spring coils 32 merging at one end into the portions 3| and an inverted U-shaped portion 33 merging at its ends into the coils 32. The portion 33 constitutes a releasable holding means for the clip I6, is of less length than and normally tends to engage the inner edge of shank portion 26. When portion 33 is in holding relation relative to the clip In it will be positioned in the manner as shown by Figure 1, spaced from the inner edge of shank portion 26 and releasably engaging with the inner face of the leg II of clip I0 to hold such leg against the flat inner face of jaw 28, as is shown by Figures 1 and 4. When in non-holding position relative to the clip I6 the bight of the yoke 33 will abut the inner edge of the shank portion 26, as is shown by Figure 2.

Integral with one side of the outer end edge of handle member I6 is the inner end of a shank 34 formed of an inner portion 35 and an outer portion 36. The portion 35 is of greater width, of less thickness and of less length than the portion 36. The latter is disposed in extended lateral relation with respect to the inner face of the portion 35. The outer edges of the portions 35, 36 are straight and merge into each other. The inner edge of the portion 36 inclines outwardly from its inner to its outer end thereby providing for the shank portion 36 to be of substantially tapered form or in other words, gradually decreasing in width from its inner to its outer end. Formed integral with the outer terminal portion of the outer edge of shank portion 36 and flush with the outer end of the latter is a jaw 31 formed of an outer part 38 and a rearwardly directed outwardly curved rear part 39. The part 39 is disposed in lateral relation with respect to shank portion 36. The part 38 is spaced from the shank portion 36. The jaw 31 in connection with the shank 34 provides a rearwardly opening gullet 46. The jaw 31 correlates with the shank 34 for removing the clip II! from fastening position with respect to the cover 9.

The jaw 28 constitutes a positioning, distorting and applying element for the clip ID. The jaw 31 provides a removing element for the clip I6. The shank 34 is of greater length than and extends outward with respect to the outer end of shank 23. The inner edge of the shank portion 36 opposes and is disposed at an outward inclination with respect to the inner edge of the shank portion 26. The latter is of less length than shank portion 36.

After the clip ID has been positioned on the jaw 28 and held on the latter by the holder 36, the jaw 28 with the clip I0 thereon will be disposed to have the point of mergence of the legs of the clip I6 oppose a part of the rearwardly extending portion 4| of the cover 9. The part of said portion 4|, which is opposed by said point of mergence, is disposed rearwardly of the inner face of the front edge portion 8 of the seat 5. The said portion 4| of the cover 9 has a part thereof seated on a part of the outer face of jaw 28 rearwardly of the leg I2 of the clip I9. Prior to the arranging of the clip I9 in the manner aforesaid the seat 5 and cover 9 are arranged over the jaw 28 and the front edge portion 8 and the portion of cover 9 encompassing it are disposed between the inner edges of the portions 26, 36 respectively of the shanks 23, 34. Prior to the interposing of the portions of the chair 5 and cover 9 between the shanks 23, 34, the clip Ill, which is to be employed to fasten cover 9 to chair 5, will be mounted in jaw 28, as shown in dotted lines Figure 1. The shanks 23, 34 are spread apart to receive therebetween the front edge portion 8 of the seat and the portion of the cover which is arranged against the seat portion 8. Now if the jaw 28 is moved in a direction towards shank 34, the holder 36 will release clip I 9 and the latter will be forced against the cover 9 by jaw 28 and distorted in a manner to have the bend or apex I3 of clip I0 bind a part of cover 9 against a point on the inner face of front edge portion 8 of chair 5, the leg I2 of clip I0 bind a part of cover 9 against the inner face of chair portion 1 and the leg II of clip l0 bind a part of the cover 9 against the inner face of the lower part of the front edge portion 8 of the chair 5, as is shown by Figure 2, whereby clip II] will act to fasten cover 9 in encompassing relation with respect to the front edge portion 8 of chair 5. After the clip ID ha been distorted in the manner as shown by Figure 2, the jaw 28 is moved clear of the clip I I].

When removing the clip Ii] from fastening position, the jaw 39 is extended into the groove near the clip and, with the lower part of the front edge portion 8 of chair 5 and that portion of the cover 9, which encompasses such lower part, snugly engaged in and extended from the open end of the gullet 40, as is shown by Figure 1, and by application of a light pressure downwardly on leg H of clip H! or on front edge portion 8 of chair 5, and then pulling portion 4| of cover 9, the clip II] will fly out. The idea is that the tool does not have to touch the clip in removal, but that this is only optional as sometimes it might be a tedious task to find the clip.

The tool will work also if near the clip and entirely on the adjacent portion of the seat.

What I claim is:

In a trimmers hand tool, a pair of oppositely disposed shiftable handle members pivotally connected together in proximity to one end, a pair of opposed spaced shanks extended from said ends, one of said shanks being of greater length than and disposed in outwardly extended relation with respect to the outer end of the other shank, a jaw having a part integral With the outer end of the shortest shank and having its remaining part extending inwardly at right angles with respect to the inner lengthwise edge of the shortest shank for receiving thereon in overlapping relation an angle-shaped clip, and a holder having an inner terminal portion anchored in and extended from said inner edge, said holder including a shiftable spring controlled releasable holding means extending outwardly from said portion, normally engaging said edge and capable when shifted in a direction from said ed e for engaging an angle portion of the clip to releasably hold such angle portion against the inner edge of said remaining part of the jaw whereby the clip is removably held on the latter in overlapping relation.

AILION AMOS McPHAIL, SR. 

